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What's the old saying comparing stats and mini-skirts? They might look good but hide the important bits. Well right now the figures DON’T look attractive for Hibs – no matter how you dress them up. Six without a win, 13 goals conceded in that time and a trip to face Celtic up next this afternoon. A venue where – in case you weren’t aware – Hibs haven’t won in 15 years and 22 outings. Listen you can flip the data any way to suit a narrative but it’s not been great recently and should that run in the east end of Glasgow continue then there’s a real danger Hearts could be nine points clear of Hibs going into next weekend’s Edinburgh derby. And after just six games that would be the ugliest stat of all. Seeing the noisy neighbours galloping ahead must set a fire in the belly. Being at Hibs it’s just not acceptable to be second best in Edinburgh. So the next two games are huge even at this early stage of the season. And back to where I started – the stats might not look good but they certainly aren’t telling the whole story. Put simply, if they can sort out their problems at the back then I firmly believe David Gray’s side CAN go to Celtic Park and win this afternoon. There is a massive opportunity here. This is not a vintage Celtic team. Brendan Rodgers’ side have not started the season on fire, I know they’ve got points on the board but it’s not the free-flowing, free-scoring Celtic team we’ve seen in recent years. There’s obviously disharmony in the stands too and if Hibs can start well and get their noses in front it could quickly become a really difficult afternoon for Celtic. That has be the aim. There are reasons to be positive. I don’t think there’s much wrong middle to front in terms of creativity. Jamie McGrath scored another great goal against Falkirk in midweek and they could have had five. I know there’s been a wee bit of criticism of Kieron Bowie in the last couple of games. But when he went off the other night Hibs really struggled. Bowie has to play against Celtic. But the number one priority for Hibs is to defend well. Do that and they can get a result. Grant Hanley has to come back in to face Celtic and I could see Rocky Bushiri dropping out because he’s been poor recently. This game will suit Hanley. It will be backs-to-the-wall and defending their own 18-yard box for large spells. Cross balls are a real problem when you look at Nico Raskin’s goal at Ibrox and Liam Henderson’s equaliser the other night. It’s like a defence made up of Draculas when they face crosses. Real harum scarum stuff. But it’s not just the back three. There’s another issue that’s glaring for me. The Midtjylland games in Europe have to be the template for how they approach today’s showdown with the champions. The Danes were a strong side and it won’t be too dissimilar facing Celtic. The way Hibs defended was so impressive though. That’s what makes the drop off since then so galling. It’s the second trip to Glasgow in a week and the performance against Rangers seven days ago was a real disappointment – they’ve get something to prove after that. Get a positive result this weekend and what a difference it would make heading across the capital to face Hearts.
